Cardinal Cloak (RETIRED)

[Colonial Rose]

This outfit was released in 1992 and retired with Felicity's archival in 2010. It is worn by Felicity in the books Changes for Felicity, Felicity's Surprise, and Felicity Learns a Lesson, and the short story "Felicity's New Sister".

PC description: Wrap Felicity in her cheerful scarlet cardinal cloak to brighten even the gloomiest day. Tie the cloak with its beautiful red satin ribbon to keep out the chilly winter winds.


I have the PM version of the Cardinal Cloak from 1996. I love it, its wool but thin enough to drape instead of just sticking out. It's made from about 2/3 of a circle of fabric so its really full and goes over stuff nicely, and the hood has a gathered opening in the back so it goes around her head and sits nicely. I haven't seen the Mattel version or Elizabeth's cloak so I can't give comparisons on those, but I love Felicity's cloak and definetly reccomend it.

[QNPoohBear]

I LOVE Felicity's Cardinal cloak. It's an exact replica of cloaks worn in that time. It is made from felted wool and the hood covers Felicity's head to keep her warm but doesn't block her face. It closes with ribbon ties and it looks lovely with her Christmas gown. The real wool cloak keeps the wet snow from seeping through to Felicity's gown. There were various types of cloaks worn at that period. This type is known as the Cardinal cloak because it resembles the hooded robes of religious Cardinals. The type of fabric used was known as broadcloth, a type of tightly woven wool. It isn't lined because it wouldn't be. The tightly woven wool kept the cold, wind and wet out.

Grade: A for PM version

[vicky94]

The PM version of the cloak is really beautiful and very accurate. I would actually consider the quality MUCH better than Elizabeth's. Elizabeth's closes with snaps instead of real ribbons and it's really thin.

[maggiedoll]

Mattel version

American Girl.com
Felicity’s Cardinal Cloak
Item# D4451
Felicity puts on this cheerful, cardinal cloak to brighten even the gloomiest day. The cloak ties with a red satin ribbon to keep out the chilly winter winds.
$24

This cloak is probably the most used outfit in any of the American Girl book. Felicity wears it to the ball, church, lessons, Elizabeth's house, Father's store even to Mr. Nye's house over her nightgown. I hope that Mother keeps it nice and clean and mended too, knowing this girl.

As you may be able to see, this cloak is two pieces of felt and a length of ribbon. I was pleasantly surprised that the felt is as thick as it was, I expecting the type of felt you get at the craft store for 15 cents a square. At least Felicity has a some chance to be warm. The felt feels like wool and is not bulky or hard to keep on Felicity.

Felicity wearing the cloak with her ball gown. It can cover her front well. Or...
Brushed aside for when Felicity needs her arms or the weather is not that cold. You can see that the hood is big enough to handle a mob cap.
As you can tell, it can go well on most of Felicity's clothes. It also goes well with her lesson outfit.

The profile, which completely covers Felicity's face. In one of her books, Felicity covers her face in her hood in the worst of Williamsburg weather. Now the doll can act out that cold weather protection!
Even though the hood is big, it is not a pain to keep down.

As you may remember in the movie, Felicity's cloak is gathered like this. In the huh department, um, why is there a small hole?

Now for some issues.
I could not get a detailed picture, but the felt is already fraying a little and my cloak is less than a couple of weeks old. I think all cloaks are like this.
The cloak is not lined. It would be nice and pretty for some thin red silk.
It would be nice if the cloak was at least a couple of inches longer. Since Felicity no longer has her patterns, her skirts will get wet and cold without any protection.

My biggest complaint is that I honesty think this cloak should be only be about $18. $24 is the cost of a dress, not two pieces of felt and ribbon. Sure it is one of the most used of all the outerwear, but it is also the simplest made and the fraying suggest not the best materials used. If you are a sewer you can easily make a copy cat for less than $20. If you want to risk it, perhaps you will get a better deal on a special. The price alone makes it a B.

I just like this picture of pensive Felicity.
A year later, two outdoor pictures of Felicity in her cloak.
This one shows just how short the cloak is on Felicity.
The cloak is very resistant to a light sprinkling of snow. The outfit would probably survive light outdoor play.


*mod edit to remove dead image links throughout review*

[Ms. Notorious]

I got the PM version from another collector, and I actually didn't like it much when I pulled it out of the box, but it looks great on Lissie! It's a nice heavy fabric that is sturdy but not stiff. The hood frames her face nicely, but isn't overpowering. The ribbon really is a nice touch.

PM Version = A!

[zeemeems]

PM version

The cloak doesn't have seams on the edge, so it may fray. But trimming with scissors doesn't take away from the lovely color and accurate design.

It looks lovely with the green town fair outfit, shown on the right:

[rosieangel]

Mattel version

This cloak is made from a thick wool felt with a satin bow closure. I think it's quite pretty and drapes well, though the color doesn't match nicely with most of Felicity's outfits. I only have Lissie wear it with her Christmas gown.

I am disappointed that it doesn't have any lining or at least finished edges, and I do agree that it's quite overpriced for what you're getting, but mine has not frayed yet, and I've had mine for a few years now. So your mileage may vary with this one.

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[sussemaus]

Mattel version

My cardinal cloak was bought in October 2009 for the original price.

I would like to start off by saying that this piece is worth the $24 price tag. Not only does it seem to be a huge part of her stories (in the first two books she wears it), it is durable, thick and looks great with every outfit i have paired it with so far.

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The cloak is made of a thick felt. it is very bright red and simple. when laid out it forms about a 3/4 circle. End to end the cloak is about 24 inches or 60 and 1/2 centimeters. Down the center of the "back" from hood to end is about 11 and 1/4 inches or 28 and 1/2 centimeters. Also straight across the middle at the widest point (when laid out) is 27 inches or 68 centimeter. The ribbon to tie the cloak are 11 and 3/4 inches or 29 and 1/2 centimeters. The hood folded and pressed flat measures: 7 inches or 17 and 1/2 centimeters long and about 6 inches or 14 centimeters across at the widest point. i hope the measurements help anyone trying to make there own version, but i would really say that the AG version is quite nice. The felt is not itchy and the cloak is not lined as i said before it is a very basic and simple piece.

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I thought it might be nice for anyone wanting to buy the cloak to have a reference for how it looks paired with Lissie's different gowns and outfits. So for your viewing pleasure here is a reference. As i buy more of her outfits i will add them here. in my opinion the cloak really looks nice with all the one i have so far.

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I give this piece an A+. it is hard not to like as there is not to much to it, but i think that is really where the charm is for me. it is simple and does its function while not taking away from the gown it is covering. not sure if that makes a lot of sense either way. nice piece and worth the money.

edited to fix pics and unstretch the thread. sorry.

[clp2]

I have a PM version of this cloak and I love it! The color is pretty and looks great with Felicity's Christmas Gown. The cloak is very thick and well made. A lot heavier than I imagined from the pictures!

I give it an A+

[starwenn]

I just got the PM version of the cloak on eBay. It always seemed so simple, I figured I could make something similar or have it made...but then Felicity was the last of my AG dolls to lack a coat or some kind of winter weather protection. Red is my favorite color, so I was delighted to see how bright and warm this is! It's a nice, thick piece of felt, with long ties. I wish the ties were a little thicker, but they do tie well. The felt is so thick, it doesn't really need lining. My only very minor complaint is that, yes, the edges are unfinished and may ravel with time. Otherwise, I'm glad I finally caved in and grabbed this. No wonder Lissie wears it in most of her books!

[Nostalgia]

LOVE this! I give it an A. I have the Mattel version and it's so soft and thick. Hell, even I would love a cloak like this. My Lissie just loves wearing this all winter long. It's a must have for all Felicity collectors.

[agluv13]

I have the PM version of Felicity's cloak and it is lovely. The material is nice and it looks great over various outfits, particularly Lissie's Rose Garden Gown and her Holiday Outfit. Overall a really beautiful product and I recommend it highly.

[Magdalen]

Love this cloak and I thought I would add since I've had mine since the mid 90s there hasn't been much unraveling along the edges. It has held up very considering how long I've had it.

[igsbeth]

This cloak is very historically accurate. It feels heavy and it looks gorgeous.

[chernayakoshka]

Cloak: A+

This cloak is the epitome of something succeeding in being both simple and beautiful. It’s made of a red felt that’s heavy enough to hold its shape, but still has plenty of drape so Felicity (or Marya, in my case) can wear it easily as she goes about her day. The cape itself is made of two pieces of felt sewn together. Red ribbons tie the cloak around the doll. The hood is quite full, properly covering a doll’s head to give her appropriate cover from the elements. I’m a little unsure why there’s a gathered hole at the back of the hood, but I assume there’s a historical reason for it!

There’s a surprising amount of room in it once it’s on. Marya is wearing her colonial undergarments and it doesn’t seem to be affecting the fit at all. I do wish it was a little longer, but I also see the practicality of keeping it up and out of the slushy snow.

I’ll also add that the fabric of this thing attracts dust and (ahem) cat hair like nothing else. Hopefully Marya isn’t allergic.


All spread out.


The weird little hole in the back.


Look how big the hood is!

Good Value?

When it was available, this retailed for $18 and later $24, the same price as a dress. As much as I like this cloak, I don’t think I’d pay the same for it as I would a dress, however useful it is in Felicity’s stories. Maybe that’s just a personal thing. I got mine in a lot, so it was maybe $10 when divided out. I’m quite pleased with that, of course.

Overall: A+

I have the Mattel version of the cloak, and I’m very pleased with it. It gets a lot of use in Felicity’s stories and it’s clear that it’s meant to be a very practical, versatile piece of clothing. It looks lovely on Marya and I have no doubt that it would keep the weather – whether wind, rain, or snow – at bay. A must have, I think, for any Felicity collector…or someone who has another doll from that era.


The cloak looks nice and warm when closed...


Or it can be pushed back so the doll can use her hands. It looks nice either way!

[agfelicity]

I was impressed when I received this. I heard felt and was not prepared for its weight. It drapes nicely on Felicity and feels very warm. She looks so cute with the hood up.

http://instagram.com/p/CoiJ0QGPy5V

[keeperofthepast]

I have the PC version. The wool is soft and drapes well. The red color is beautiful. I love the way the hood comes together in a little circle at the back.